Oak Lodge – Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat Center

Applegate, California

Our Lady of the Oaks is a Jesuit retreat center located in the Sierra Foothills just east of Auburn. The site encompasses approximately 300 acres of open meadow and densely forested hillsides above the American River. Siegel & Strain’s master plan envisions renewal strategies for this long neglected facility in accordance with the Jesuit’s mission of good environmental stewardship.

The first phase includes Oak Lodge, a new straw bale dorm and meeting facility that will replace the crumbing Old Lodge. Oak Lodge wraps around a majestic oak while following the contours of the hill. The meeting rooms open to filtered views of the lake to the east. The dormitory wing accommodates twenty-four visitors and is joined to the meeting rooms by a breezeway and screened porch, reminiscent of a well-used screened porch at the Old Lodge.